Our feeds and inboxes are full of news about COVID-19. But how is the global Church responding? Read our roundup of stories. Find resources for church and ministry leaders. Pray on.
Day: March 18, 2020
TURKEY: Words of Wisdom as First Case of Coronavirus Announced
Source: SAT-7, March 16, 2020
As the first case of the coronavirus was announced in Turkey, the news and social media caused fear and panic.
“Because of the virus, we are seeing a consumption madness. In the news, we see empty shelves in markets as if we are running out of food, and this is making selfishness and greed apparent” [says a SAT-7 program host Volkan Er].
To inform SAT-7 TÜRK viewers about the coronavirus, a public service announcement was created, detailing the facts about the coronavirus, its symptoms, precautionary measures and travel advice.
“We must be sensible and calm,” [Er] continues to reassure viewers. “We trust our Lord, we have a living God. He is going to lead us. We have the opportunity to be a light to others and emphasize Christ in this situation. But first of all, we must be sensible.”
[In contrast with] other public service announcements, SAT-7 TÜRK concluded with a prayer:
“Lord, we bring all the people who are impacted by this epidemic before you. We pray in your name that the people who have this virus will be healed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
CHINA: Fear Not!
Source: Asia Harvest, March 16, 2020
Many people have asked how the virus is affecting the Chinese churches in Wuhan and throughout China. Ironically, the brutal persecution launched by President Xi over the last few years has helped prepare the house churches for the current situation. Thousands of large congregations were broken down into small groups of five or six believers, who have been meeting together for prayer and Bible study in their homes.
Some Chinese churches set up online services since the virus began, but many of their websites and social media pages have been shut down by the government… Communist authorities have even taken the opportunity to let people know that their facial recognition technology works just as well when people are wearing masks.
As fear and trepidation spreads throughout the world along with the virus, we would like to encourage all believers to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, for “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Rather than worrying about what might go wrong, the Lord wants his children to look to Him in faith, because fear and faith cannot exist together, and the stronger of the two will always kill the other. Our job is to set our eyes on Jesus and his kingdom, for “without faith it’s impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
So, let’s not fear! God is, and always will be in total control. Although our lives look set to be disrupted for some time because of the economic effects of the pandemic, God is not yet finished his work in you or through you. Let us keep serving him while we have the opportunity. The Lord Jesus said: “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).
» Read full article for more scripture and encouragement.
WORLD: Leading With Hope During the Global Coronavirus Pandemic
Source: Lausanne Movement, March 17, 2020
If ever there was a time for prayers and supplications, this is such a time. Let us join together in united prayer as we pray for:
- Governments and local authorities who bear large responsibilities in confronting this challenge
- WHO and all health professionals who are working to safeguard public health
- Industry leaders and workers in global workplaces that are taking precautions and making decisions to confront this challenge
- Pastors, church leaders, and leaders of the community who provide care and guidance for those they lead
As a global family, this is a time to let the light of Christ shine his healing rays throughout the world. May the Lord, our Chief Shepherd and our Refuge, grant mercy and grace upon the nations of the world in this time of trouble and distress.
Below we have compiled a list of resources based on contributions from Lausanne leaders around the world. We hope this list will be helpful to you as you’re leading and discerning amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
- Joni Eareckson Tada, US, A Calming Word During the Coronavirus (Joni and Friends)
- Pablo Martinez, Spain, A Psalm in the Epidemic: Trust Overcomes Fear (Evangelical Focus)
- Ed Stetzer, US, Christians, This Is Our Moment: A Call to Clarity and Mission (Christianity Today)
- René Breuel, Italy, The Coronavirus and the Ministry of Touch (Evangelical Focus)
- Sadiri Joy Tira, Canada, Global Family and the Coronavirus (Christianity Today)
- Patrick Fung, Hong Kong/China, Coronavirus Outbreak: Four Ways to Pray (OMF International)
- Leonardo De Chirico, Italy, Italy in Lock Down; Country Open to Conversations on Faith “Like Never Before,” Claims Christian Leader (Premier Christian News)
- Ed Brown, US, God Is Our Refuge: Thoughts on COVID-19 (The Pollinator: Creation Care Network News)
» Read full article and visit a new, collaborative website, Coronavirus and the Church. It has lots of helpful resources for you and your church.
IRAN: 70,000 Prisoners Released, Many Christians Still Jailed
Source: Open Doors, March 17, 2020
“Recent reports indicate that the COVID-19 virus has spread inside Iranian prisons,” Javaid Rehman, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, said in Geneva.
The immediate release freed an estimated 70,000 prisoners, including six Christians. However at least 11 believers serving longer-term, security-related sentences will remain imprisoned. That includes Christians like Nasser-Navard Gol-tepeh who has been sentenced to 10 years for “crimes against national security.”
Also known to be still in detention in Iran on charges related to the peaceful practice of their faith are nine Christian converts from the northern city of Rasht. Their five-year prison sentences were recently upheld, even though neither they nor their lawyers were permitted to attend the hearing. Five of the men are among the at least 11 Christians. They were arrested during raids on their homes and house churches.
Christian activist Mary (Fatemeh) Mohammadi was among the prisoners recently granted temporary leave from Qarchak women’s prison. In detention, she was severely tortured and beaten so badly that the bruises were still visible on her body three weeks later.
» An interesting development from another region: the mayor of Seoul is pressing charges against the church at the center of Korea’s coronavirus outbreak (Huffington Post with links to other sources).
WORLD: How Coronavirus Is Affecting Refugees
Source: Preemptive Love Coalition, March 3, 2020
As the number of coronavirus cases grow worldwide—including in many of the places we serve—we’re checking in with our refugee friends. Refugees and displaced families the world over are hit particularly hard by widespread crises like this one.
Here’s how the coronavirus (or COVID-19) outbreak is impacting our displaced and vulnerable friends around the world.
» Read about refugees in Iraq, Syria, Venezuela, and Mexico.